title: Blood transfusion in developing countries: problems, priorities and practicalities.
abstract: The acute medical services could not exist without blood transfusions--life-savers in many situations. But transfusions can also be a quick and easy route for the transmission of infectious agents such as HIV, HBV, HCV and malaria. Infection through blood supply is a major issue in all countries but particularly in those with economic constraints which limit safety. This study was carried out in India (March-May 1997) and involved centres in Delhi, Calcutta and Vellore. It examined many aspects of blood transfusion including donor screening, use of professional donors, blood testing and criteria for blood use. The many problems in Indian blood transfusion services are mirrored in other countries. Here we examine the problems, priorities and practicalities of blood transfusion particularly in developing countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Life and Health, University of Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Wake
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Cutting
mesh_terms: D001771:Blood Banks; D001782:Blood Donors; D001802:Blood Substitutes; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D003906:Developing Countries; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
chemical_list: D001802:Blood Substitutes